Chaney Ranch

This is a question for all longarm quilters...I have been quilting on a longarm for only a couple of months and recently viewed a video demonstrating Red Snappers - an alternative to pinning the quilt top and back to the leaders. Please let me know your opinions, pro or con, if you have ever used these. I constantly seem too be sticking myself and the Snappers appear to offer a painless solution. Thanks!

feline fanatic

Those that have them seem to love them. I tried making the Poor Man's red snappers http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t234134.html and while these worked pretty well I still go back to pinning. I guess I have become proficient at it, and it seems easier to line up my centers for the backing. I have only been bit by the pins on a handful of occasions. The snappers use a bit more fabric so you have to allow for that when preparing your backing. Apparently they are rather tight when you first use them and it takes quite a big of hand strength to get them into place properly but I have read they loosen up with use. They make for quick loading once you get past the learning curve.

krafty14

I have had a mid arm for about 6 years, but really got in to using the past year and a half. I always pinned. About 6 months ago I bought the red snappers (after trying the poor man's red snappers). I didn't think the price was so bad for them. I can load a quilt very quickly. Much quicker than with pins, and more even. Here is a link for a you tube demo that is just how I do it. I think you would enjoy using them. I don't think it uses more than 1/4" more fabric than pinning. IMHO Ann
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udj94FQ1juE

GEMRM

I have "Leader Grips" - similar product. They work well. If the "grip" is too tight, just buy a length of dowelling a little bigger diameter and put the grip on it for a while - it will stretch it slightly as if you had used it awhile and make it easier to put into place. I don't use pins anymore to attach the quilt components to the frame. I still use them at times to anchor fabric where I want it prior to basting etc.

DebD800

I love my red snappers. They're super easy to use and if I get halfway through a quilt and want to work on a different one it's no big deal. Just a few seconds to take off the one i'm working on, a few minutes to load the other one and good to go! The only con is that sometimes if i'm working at the very top or bottom of a quilt my machine may 'catch' briefly on them but it's nof nearly enough of an issue to not use them. Go ahead and order them - you'll wish you'd done it sooner!

AudreyB

I have the Red Snappers and have used them for a couple of years. I absolutely love them! Several of my longarm friends bought some after they saw mine, and they all sing their praises, too.

They can be a bit tight, especially in the beginning, but I have never had a problem with them.

SuzieQuilts

I have the Red Snappers that I use on my Bernina frame, with my Bernina 820. I don't know if I would use the word "love" as there are issues with them; such as tight to use at first , catching the platform at the beginning and ending of the quilt, and an un-quilted space at the beginning and end. However, it is the best method of loading a quilt on the frame that I have found. I also tried basting and pinning the quilt to the leaders. If there is a better way, I have not found it.

Vitality

I have them and love them. Easy to use. Bend them AWAY from the rod to make snapping them into place easier. I have RA, which effects my hands and I don't find them difficult.

sewwhat85

i also use these and LOVE LOVE LOVE them

TexasSunshine

We tried the poor man's red snappers (DH made them) but they were to hard for me to use. We recently upgraded from a wooden frame to a metal frame and it has the zippers and I love them. It is so easy to load and unload. I like them so muçh better than pinning. I find them so much more accurate with centering and advancing.